New high school forestry program targets East Texas workforce shortage
Blog Post
Author: Mellie Valencia
Oct 9, 2026
A new educational initiative launched in Lufkin aims to connect high school students directly to East Texas’ multi-billion-dollar timber economy.
The Texas Forestry Association has introduced “ForestryWorks,” the first high school curriculum approved by the Texas Education Agency dedicated entirely to forestry and natural resources. The program is designed to rebuild a workforce pipeline as veteran timber employees retire across the region.
Addressing an Aging Workforce
Timber operations throughout the Piney Woods support more than 73,000 jobs in Texas. However, industry leaders warn of an impending talent shortage.
“We’ve got a lot of older people that are retiring out, and we do not have enough younger people coming in to meet that demand,” said Matthew McBroom, chair of the Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Forestry.
The curriculum introduces students to commercial forestry roles through high school agriculture classes, according to Ted Stevens, sustainability and education director for the Texas Forestry Association.
“We just want to introduce students to the wide breadth of forestry jobs and natural resources jobs that exist right here in East Texas,” Stevens said.
Path from High School to College Degree
The program was piloted with students at Lufkin High School. Under the curriculum framework, students can earn an entry-level forest worker certificate before receiving their high school diplomas. Credits can then transfer to Angelina College and apply toward a four-year degree at SFA.
“The forest products industry is what built East Texas, and there’s a reason why the main street in Lufkin is called Timberland,” Stevens said. “There are good jobs right here in their backyard, and there’s no reason to move to somewhere like Houston or Dallas to find a career.”
Leaders emphasized that modern forestry relies heavily on technological skills, including drone operations, GIS spatial mapping, and automated mill management.
“It’s not eliminating the need for highly skilled people,” McBroom said. “It’s increasing the demand for highly skilled people.”
The association is recruiting high school educators to implement the course statewide, with an initial teacher training workshop scheduled for Nov. 6 at its Lufkin headquarters.
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